Camp sink with warm and cold water supply

ABSTRACT

A portable sink with warm and cold water supply. Two fluid containers with spigots are placed inside separate compartments of a metal frame, where one container is for hot water and the other container is for cold water. The metal frame underneath the hot water container is equipped with a propane burner and tank, and the entire metal frame rests on four legs. A basin or tub hangs below the spigots of the containers to act as a sink where clean running water may be unavailable. The frame also comes equipped with two side counters that fold down to provide extra space. The structure of the invention is equipped with detachable and/or foldable parts that fit together within the main unit of the metal frame thus forming a single self-supporting and self-containing unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to portable camping equipment and, more specifically, to a portable water warmer with basin attachment and stand.

2Background of the Invention

Leavitt, U.S. Pat. No. 2,594,938, describes a portable camping sink having its own supply of running water. This invention includes a tank section and a tub section hingedly connected thereto, with a method for locking the sections together in a unitary fashion so that they may be easily carried.

Gehrke, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,349, describes a portable grill device with a hexagonal firebox made of sheet steel, and having at least three detachable legs, a vertically adjustable cooking grid and a pot holder that pivots on a vertical axis.

Valentine, U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,977, describes a portable campfire cooker formed of metal walls, posts, grills, and other parts, easily assembled and disassembled, providing a rigid and safe firebox. Grill supports and pot supports are rotatably mounted on the posts in a secure arrangement, and can be released by merely lifting from these posts.

Wietecha, U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,228, describes a portable sink apparatus attachable to an external, portable reservoir that is able to contain a supply of fluid. The invention includes a portable reservoir that is able to contain waste fluid.

Piatt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,525, describes a washing platform with a generally flat upper work surface, and a spout that provides a stream of fluid to the work surface. A bowl can be removably placed on the washing platform to receive water from the spout. The bowl has an aperture through the bottom with a gasket around the aperture to provide a seal that inhibits flow of fluid there between until a user lifts the bowl to drain the water therefrom.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable sink or basin that may be transported and set up at any desired location, such as in an outdoor environment, and upon being set up the sink would have its own supply of heated running water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and durable hot water apparatus for camping and for transporting water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an economical and multi-functional hot water apparatus for camping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-supporting and self-containing hot water apparatus for camping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide hot and cold running water for camping or underdeveloped areas where clean and safe running water is not readily available.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a portable camp sink with warm and cold water supply. The invention includes a metal container for hot water with a spigot for controlling the release of hot water. The invention also includes a cold water container with a spigot for controlling the release of cold water. Each container is positioned within its own compartment of a metal frame for storage. Between the two reservoirs is a central compartment for storing components of the frame, such as the legs, when the device is not in use. The portion of the frame underneath the hot water container consists of a propane burner inside a firebox, to heat the water inside the container. This propane burner will heat the water enough to sterilize it, and so the device could be used to provide safe, clean water to those in remote or underdeveloped areas. Another possibility is to maintain separate containers, one for cleaning water and the other for sterile drinking water. The hot water container could also be removed, and the propane burner used underneath a cooking pot or skillet during meal preparation.

The storage apparatus for this invention is a metal frame with three separate compartments, as mentioned, resting on four telescoping legs, with two fold-down side counters connected to the right and left sides of the three compartments. A plastic sink or basin may be hung from the front of the frame, underneath the container spigots. A lantern and paper towel holder may also be attached to the top portion of the metal frame for added convenience to the user. When not in use, the invention may be easily disassembled and folded into a compact storage unit comprising the compartment of the metal frame for travel. In this way the device is self-supporting and self-containing, because the metal frame that supports and contains the device during use also acts as the packing and storage container when the device is not in use, so the invention is one simple unit.

The present invention is durable enough to transport with full containers of water, thus making it useful for taking water into remote areas possessing little or no potable water. Front-loading containers make it possible to move the water components one at a time during set-up, thus reducing the weight a person would be required to lift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in its assembled state.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top, perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of the folding action of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in its storage or travel configuration.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention when folded for storage or travel.

FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view of the view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front, perspective view of the frame and legs components of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front, perspective, exploded view of the frame of the invention.

FIG. 11 is the unfolded, detail view of the lantern and paper towel post, which fits onto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is the partway folded view of the lantern and paper towel post of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is the folded view of the lantern and paper towel post of FIGS. 11 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A compact, portable, and easy to use sink with warm and cold water supply is described in FIG. 1, for use in outdoor environments, such as camping or in underdeveloped regions lacking clean running water. The manufacture of the present invention is simple and economical, making it ideal for its preferred use. The structure of the invention is also simple and sturdy enough to withstand any rough handling as might accompany camping and frequent use.

The present invention consists of two containers for fluid. One container (10) is for holding hot fluid, such as water, and must be made from heat-resistant metal, for example steel. The other container (12) is for holding cold or ambient temperature fluid and is made from durable material, such as steel or the like. Each fluid container is equipped with a metal spigot (14) for dispensing and controlling the flow of water from the container.

The containers are placed inside a metal frame (16) that stands on four legs (18), and separated from each other by a middle compartment (20), best seen in FIG. 3, that is capable of storing elements of the invention, such as the legs (18), when the invention is not in use. This portion of the frame (16) forms the central, main unit of the invention structure, both during use and when not in use. The frame compartment that stores the hot water container (10) is equipped with a firebox on the bottom section of the frame (16), and the firebox is equipped with a propane burner (22), as seen in FIG. 9. A propane tank (24) is connected to the propane burner (22) during heating of the water inside the container (10). Water inside the container (10) in this compartment is then heated from the underneath side of the container (10). Additionally, the hot water container can be removed and the propane burner used underneath a cooking pot or skillet for meal preparation.

The central, main unit (16) of the invention is supported from the bottom piece of the main unit by four legs (18), when the device is in use. Each of the four legs (18) is constructed to be detached from the main unit (16) and to telescope into a compact form for storage when the device is not in use. The compacted legs (18) are stored in the middle compartment (20) of the main unit (16).

A basin or tub (26) is attached to the main unit (16) by a hinged metal arm (28) on the front side of the frame (16), on the bottom piece of the frame (16). The basin or tub (26) would then be positioned in front of and underneath the spigots (14) of the fluid containers, when the device is in use. When the device is not in use, the basin (26) can be folded upward on the metal arm (28) to rest against the front side of the main unit (16) for convenient carrying and travel of the device.

A side counter (30) can be hinged to the right and left sides of the metal frame (16), on the bottom piece of the frame (16). Each side counter (30) is connected by metal rods (32) to the top, side piece of the metal frame (16). The rods (32) are hinged in the middle to allow the rod (32) to be able to fold in half and bring the side counter (30) up so that it rests against the side piece of the metal frame (16). When the device is in use, the rods (32) are extended in a linear configuration so that the side counters (30) are flat for resting other objects, such as pots or plates, on the top surface of the counter (30). When the device is not in use, the rods (32) are bent at the hinge so that the side counters (30) are raised upward and placed against the side piece of the metal frame (16), so that the device is more compact and easy to travel with or carry.

Another option for the frame (16) of the invention is to attach right and left side counters (34) to the top piece of the frame (16). These would attach with simple folding hinges (36), best viewed in the top perspective view of FIG. 3, and enable the user to fold the counters (34) out to lay flat, providing additional work surfaces. When the invention is not being used, the top side counters (34) pivot into position against the top piece of the metal frame (16). The folding action of both the bottom side counters (30) and the top side counters (34) is depicted in FIG. 4.

A metal post (37), shown in FIG. 9, can be attached to the top structure of the metal frame (16) for hanging a lantern (38) and paper towel roll (40). Several metal hook arms and rods are connected to the post (37) in a manner that allows them to pivot and fold together in a compact form. When the device is in use, all the hook arms are extended so that objects can be placed on the hooks. When the device is not in use, the hook arms fold together against the post (37), and the post (37) is placed in the middle storage compartment (20) of the main unit. In the open position, one top hook arm (42) is extended to one side of the post (37), and has a hook at the non-post end for hanging a lantern (38) or other lighting device. Two shorter hook arms (43) are fastened just below the top hook arm (42), and extend out to each side of the post (37), with hooks at the non-post end for hanging utensils or other similar objects. Near the bottom of the post (37) are two rods, one somewhat above the other. The lower rod (44) extends to the opposite side of the post (37) from that of the lantern hook arm (42), and the non-post end lifts slightly for sliding the rod (44) through a roll of paper towels (40) and steadying it. The upper rod (46) extends to the same side as the lower rod (44), but extends downward at a slight angle. The non-post end of the upper rod (46) lifts slightly and then rests flat against a roll of paper towels (40) on the lower rod (44), to provide stability to the paper towels (40) against wind or unintentional unrolling.

The whole invention structure can be folded together and stored in one compact unit for safe and easy travel. When not in use, the invention is easily disassembled and folded into a single unit comprising the compartment of the metal frame, as depicted in FIG. 6. In this way the device is self-supporting and self-containing, because the metal frame (16) that supports and contains the device during use also acts as the packing and storage container when the device is not in use.

It is also possible to connect a pump to the fluid reservoirs that operates using only a D-cell battery to pump hot water into a shower site. With high-temperature hoses attached to a shower head, a person could use the present invention for bathing and other cleaning.

Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A portable camp sink comprising a frame and a plurality of individual fluid reservoirs; wherein at least one reservoir is comprised of heat-resistant material for heating and containing hot fluid; wherein the frame is comprised of a central unit with individual compartments; wherein at least one compartment includes a heater to heat the contents of the reservoir comprised of heat-resistant material.
 2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein each reservoir includes a spigot means for dispensing and controlling the flow of fluid out of the reservoir.
 3. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame includes a front basin or tub; wherein the basin or tub is removably attached to the central unit.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central unit of the frame includes two fold-down side counters.
 5. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central unit of the frame includes a lantern and paper towel hanger.
 6. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame is supported by legs.
 7. The invention as claimed in claim 6 wherein a middle compartment is for storage of the frame legs when the unit is not in use. 